CAAM 2026 Conference: A Living, Growing Movement By Lisa Mistry-Ghatala
There are moments when you can feel something shifting.
Not loudly. Not all at once. But steadily, through people, through conversation, through shared intention.
The CAAM 2026 Conference was one of those moments.
Over three days, practitioners, students, teachers, researchers, and seekers gathered in California, not just for a conference, but for something much deeper. A reminder that Ayurveda is not static. It is a living, growing movement, rooted in tradition and carried forward through community.
This year’s theme, Luminaries, came to life in every sense of the word. Not only through the brilliance of the speakers, but through the light each person brought into the space.
The conference reached full capacity, with 180 attendees joining us in person and 65 participating virtually from around the world, reflecting the growing momentum of Ayurveda and the strength of this community.
Opening Ceremony
We began with a powerful opening ceremony that set the tone for what was to come.
With reflections from Dr. David Frawley, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Abhishek Sharma, Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, Carmen Montano, and Anand Kuchibhotla, we were reminded that Ayurveda is both ancient and urgently relevant.
A system of medicine that belongs not only to the past, but to the future of global health.
Friday: Bridging Wisdom and Innovation
We opened the conference with Dr. David Frawley’s perspective on Yoga and Ayurveda in the AI and Digital Era, a conversation that felt especially timely. As technology accelerates, the need for grounding, consciousness, and human connection becomes even more essential.
From there, the day unfolded as a dialogue between tradition and modern science:
Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan explored Ayurveda as a source of biomedical innovation
Avanti Kumar-Singh brought East and West together through the lens of longevity
A powerful panel with Arun Deva, Vish Chatterji, and Freedom Cole examined the integration of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish
Girish Tillu spoke about the future of research in Ayurvedic consultations
Mary-Alice Quinn reframed pre-diabetes as Purvarupa, a critical window for prevention
We were also honored to hear from Ram Shrivastava, who, on behalf of our Platinum Sponsor Maharishi Ayurveda, shared the organization’s history, legacy, and continued vision, reminding us that the growth of Ayurveda today is supported by those who have long been stewarding this knowledge.
The throughline was clear: Ayurveda is not separate from modern life; it’s a framework that helps us understand it more deeply.
Saturday: Depth, Healing, and Embodiment
Saturday invited us inward. The morning started with a yoga session led by Yoga Bharati.
Anusha Sehgal opened an important dialogue around menopause through an Ayurvedic lens
Laura Plumb shared Ayurveda & the Brain, offering a grounded and heartfelt reminder of Ayurveda’s depth in supporting mental health and healing
Dr. Trupti Gokani shared her Three-Brain Reset™, bridging neuroscience and Ayurveda
Freedom Cole explored the 16 Ayurvedic personalities and mental resilience in the age of social media
Katie Silcox brought a deeply embodied perspective on Ojas through tantric anatomy
Dr. Aditi Kulkarni offered insights into supporting patients through chemotherapy and radiation
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhry and Joshua Barr guided us through the science and experience of mantra
The day closed with a mix-and-mingle that felt less like networking and more like community, conversations continuing, ideas evolving, connections deepening.
Sunday: Integration and Expansion
We began Sunday with another yoga session led by Arun Deva, creating space to arrive fully, not just mentally but physically and energetically.
By then, something had shifted.
Karthik Krishnan connected the classical concept of Ama with contemporary immunology
Dr. Sudha Prathikanti explored integrative approaches to mental health
Brenda Krulikowski offered an experience with rose, complete with delicious samples that kept the essence of rose alive in our senses long after the session ended
We closed with Yogini Shambhavi, whose presence and teachings on Yoga Shakti brought the conference full circle, leaving us with a clear call to action: to rise and stand in our authentic selves.
And before we parted ways, we gathered together for a group photo. A simple moment, but one that captured the essence of the entire weekend: a community that is growing, connected, and moving forward together.
The CAAM Mela: Ayurveda in Action
On Sunday, we also opened our doors to the broader community through the CAAM Mela.
This is where the energy of the conference met the public (300+ attendees).
Conference attendees and the general public were invited to connect with our sponsors and Mela vendors to make Ayurveda more accessible, raise awareness, and support local businesses rooted in this work.
It was also home to our book signing, where attendees had the opportunity to meet and engage with authors and teachers, including Dr. David Frawley, Vish Chatterji, Freedom Cole, Laura Plumb, and Jayarajan Kodikannath.
A reminder that Ayurveda is not just something we study, it’s something we live, share, and bring into community spaces.
Beyond the Conference: Expanding the Dialogue
This year’s gathering extended beyond the three days.
With esteemed visionaries joining us from India, including Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan and Dr. Girish Tillu, CAAM was able to host two integrative panel discussions, bringing Ayurveda into conversation with leading institutions.
At UCSF, alongside Dr. Anand Dhruva, Dr. Sudha Prathikanti, and Dr. Ram Rao, and in collaboration with the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, we explored Ayurveda through the lens of evidence-based medicine and integrative care.
At Stanford, the dialogue continued with Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, Dr. Girish Tillu, Professor Michael Snyder, and Bala Pesala, bridging Ayurveda with advancements in systems biology, data science, and modern research.
These conversations mark an important step forward, expanding Ayurveda’s place in the global health dialogue.
A Global Community, Rooted in California
People traveled from near and far to be here.
Different backgrounds. Different paths. But a shared language of nature, of healing, of purpose.
This is what Ayurveda in California looks like today: diverse, evolving, and deeply connected.
With Gratitude
This gathering would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, partners, and community:
Platinum Sponsor: Maharishi Ayurveda
Bronze Sponsors: Kerala Ayurveda, Athreya
Copper Sponsors: Shiro Bliss, SCU, California College of Ayurveda, Rasayana Ayurveda, Allied Ayurvedic Council, Ayurveda Posters, Pure Indian Foods
Community Sponsors: Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC), Shakti School
Friends of CAAM: Healthy Tiffins, Yoga Bharati, Lavaanya, Organic India, PURE
I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire CAAM Board. This conference was brought to life through their leadership, dedication, and countless acts of service. As a volunteer-led organization, the time, care, and intention each board member brings make gatherings like this possible.
And to our dedicated volunteers, those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, before, during, and after the conference, your presence, effort, and heart were felt in every detail. From the smallest touchpoints to the overall experience, you helped create a space that felt seamless, welcoming, and deeply cared for.
The Ripple Continues
At its core, this conference was a reminder:
We don’t do this work alone.
Ayurveda has always been passed from teacher to student, from practitioner to client, from one generation to the next. Not just through texts but through relationships and through community.
Grateful for every teacher, practitioner, student, sponsor, and attendee who made this gathering so powerful.
The ripple continues…
About the Author
Written by Lisa Mistry-Ghatala, CAAM Board Member, Marketing Chair, and Founder of SOMA Lifestyles. Lisa’s mission aligns with CAAM’s vision to promote and expand the reach of Ayurveda, ensuring it remains accessible, relevant, and impactful in today’s world.
